Chapter Text
(3rd Person POV)
It shouldn't have escalated the way it did. The way the storm blew snow into her face just felt like salt in the wound. Assaulted. That word rung in her head like a bell tolling one's demise. Mania assaulted a classmate. Broke their nose. For the third time this week, and the sixth this month. Suspension for the rest of the week; that was the principal's decision. Expulsion was the alternative, and Mania would've preferred that. But instead, her sister sweet-talked the principal out of it. As always.
Finland's snowstorms were something Mania was used to walking through. The way the snowflakes danced in the air before landing on the pavement below her brought her a strange sense of peace. But today, it couldn't soothe her this time. Because Mania knew what awaited her back home. What always awaited her.
Her sister, arms crossed and that sickly sweet smile, gently scolding Mania for her behavior. Mania could already hear the words that had been repeated so often to her it was like a mantra:
"I don't get why you're misbehaving. You're so smart for your age. Why do you insist on staying stubborn? You should move on and grow up. It'll help you. I know, why don't you fix us up some food? That'll make you feel better!"
A servant. That's all Mania was to her. Sisterly love was nonexistent in their small home. And for that matter, neither was love existent in Mania's entire life. Not anymore, at least. Mania's only purpose in this small town was to be the resident scapegoat, the punching bag, the monster. The one the parents pulled their kids away. The one people expected to snap. The tormented freak who would either hurt others, or herself.
The snowstorm only seemed to accentuate the painful silence Mania trudged through. So many times had she thought about leaving. About running away and not coming back. But where would she go? She didn't know anyone, didn't have a phone. She didn't even know if she had any family outside this small little town.
Oh how she wanted to... how she so badly wanted to escape... to push the restart button and have a better life. One where she's no longer "The Ghost Girl"...
...And suddenly, it was as if her wishes had been granted.
Before Mania's eyes, the scenery changed. It was dizzying, almost trip inducing. And yet it was... warm. A stark contrast to the snowstorm. So warm, in fact, that Mania unzipped her coat and took off her gloves. The snow on her shoulders melted and evaporated before her very eyes.
Mania looked around... where was she? Upon looking around she noticed a tall male with a green kimono, large demon horns, and large bat-like wings. Mania narrowed her eyes skeptically, taking a wary step forward towards the male.
The male then snapped his fingers, and a pair of magic restraints kept Mania's arms in place. She yelped shocked before being engulfed in a bubble, yet she was still able to breathe. She looked around in a shocked panic before the scenery once again changed. Now she was flying over what looked to be a completely different world. Looking up, she saw a purple sky covered in clouds. Looking down, was a bunch of thorn covered branches. If this bubble popped, she was dead.
Mania heard what sounded to be someone talking in a foreign language. Looking up at the male imprisoning her, she noticed he was talking. However, the language barrier was tougher than concrete,
"Hey! Where are you taking me!? Who are you!?" Mania shouted at the man. Noticing the differing languages, the man snapped his fingers before he spoke again. This time, Mania could understand every word he said,
"Your sister has sold your soul to me." He explained. Mania stared blankly before groaning,
"Of course she would..." she mumbled. The man glanced at her for a moment before a building became visible to the duo. A large castle. It looked like they were about to crash into the wall. Mania shut her eyes tightly, anticipating an impact... but then,
"Welcome." The man said. Opening her eyes, Mania found herself kneeling on a tatami floor. Looking around, the interior she found herself in was akin to a typical Japanese home. She looked up at the man,
"So are you going to eat my soul?" Mania asked the man. In comparison to any sane person, Mania appeared to be accepting her would be demise. The man stared at Mania silently before shaking his head,
"No." He replied. Perplexed, Mania asked,
"No? Are you just tricking me?" The man, once again, shook his head. This time, he elaborated,
"An... associate of mine has decided that you would be more beneficial than as a mere snack." At that moment, an orange blur ran past Mania and leapt onto the man's shoulders. Mania perked up noticing a demonic feline. The cat had small horns protruding from his head, his once lone tail now two. The man began speaking again,
"My associate has been observing you for a while. They found your skills in combat to be worthwhile; skills that place you higher in comparison to your inferior kind." Mania couldn't help but look away rather bashfully. She hasn't been... complimented on her skills before, if you could even call that a complimented. Back-handed, maybe,
"Ok so... how does that make me beneficial?" Mania asked the man. The cat leapt off of the man's shoulder and began nuzzling Mania. She silently began petting it as the man replied,
"I wish to help you. To train you to become a very powerful being, far stronger than normal humans, and possibly even stronger than demons." Mania looked rather amazed at the suggestion, however she could see right through the man,
"That isn't the only reason, is it?"
"...no." The man sighed, "You see, I left my children and ex-wife, for reasons I wish to not disclose. I know there's no coming back from everything I did to them... but I still wish to start anew."
"...so you're basically adopting me?"
"...basically." The man shrugged, "In summary, you have two options. Either I take you in and train you, or you can be left to the mercy of the rest of the demons." Mania chuckled a little,
"Hemmetti, what a dilemma! I don't know what to choose!" She proclaimed sarcastically. The man just stared at her with slight annoyance as Mania sighed,
"Alright alright I don't mind you taking me in. Can't be as bad as the human world." She shrugged. The man smiled slightly before offering his hand to Mania,
"I am Yusuke." Mania stared at his hand and smiled as she shook it,
"Mania Villi. Nice to meet you."
To be continued...